Ian Rapoport looks at just how valuable was Leigh Bodden to the Patriots.
According to ProFootballFocus.com, Bodden’s numbers were better than every other Patriots CB across the board.
Bodden allowed exactly 50 percent of the passes into his coverage to be completed (45 catches on 90 targets) for a total of 515 yards (11.4 yards per catch). Butler, meanwhile, allowed 36 catches in the 64 times he was thrown (56 percent) and he gave up 11.9 yards per catch. Similar.
But where the difference came was in "playing the ball," as coach Bill Belichick likes to say.
Bodden deflected 12 passes along with his five picks, while Butler only deflected three other passes besides his three interceptions. Let’s look at it another way.Opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 59.3 when throwing at Bodden, with Butler having the next best number of 67.6. Next came the departed Shawn Springs (94.1 rating into his coverage), then Jonathan Wilhite (115.3). Terrence Wheatley, who may now make the team after all, was 86.8, but with just 21 snaps and three passes thrown his way.
Wilhite’s other numbers were, well, not so sweet. The site says he watched as 65.7 percent of the passes thrown his way were completed (44 catches on 67 throws) for an average of 15 yards per catch. Yikes. In addition, he didn’t touch any other passes besides the two picks he made.
The worst news? Wilhite was beaten for six touchdowns, compared to Butler’s two and Bodden’s four… and both players had 240-plus more snaps than Wilhite.
Karen Guregian notes that if it were up to the players many of the starters would like to play in the final preseason game to get last week's debacle out of their heads.
Yeah, I think we’re all expecting to play," linebacker Tully Banta-Cain said. "Obviously, last week left a bad taste in our mouth, so we definitely want to get some good plays, and some good defensive football going so that we go into the season with a little more confidence knowing we’re capable of doing it, even though I don’t think last Thursday’s game tells the whole story of us as a team. It’s definitely not something we want to be remembering going into the season."
TEAM TALK
- Michael Lombardi offers a glimpse into how teams cut to the final 53.
- The New England Patriots announce their most recent roster moves: placing of four players on IR and releasing one.
- Paul Perillo was stunned with the news that Leigh Bodden was placed on IR and notes there's always the possibility of a trade.
- Erik Scalavino offers some news and notes from Tuesday's practice.
- Vince Wilfork was recognized as the 2010 New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award winner at the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's Annual Kickoff Gala last night.
- Ask PFW: Cutting to the chase.
- Bill Belichick Tuesday Presser. (14.54 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Pats embark on final preseason week. (2.41 min. video)
- Locker Room Uncut - Patriots wrap up preseason practice schedule. (2.48 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Charitable Foundation Kickoff Gala. (3.15 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Monique Walker reports the Patriots lost their most experienced corner when Leigh Bodden was placed on IR with a rotator cuff injury.
- Albert Breer asserts that with Bodden out, the Patriots are awfully green at the corner position. And they'll be tested.
- Tom E. Curran says it's too early to go all doom and gloom on the Pats chances, but the loss of Bodden certainly doesn't make things easier.
- Mike Reiss offers a breakdown of the NFL's youngest projected CB tandems on opening day, with the Patriots now at the top of the list.
- Ian Rapoport reports Vince Wilfork struggled to keep his emotions in check as he accepted the Ron Burton Community Service award last night.
- Karen Guregian reports Tully Banta-Cain makes a case for chilling out before pushing the panic button on D.
- Jessica Haslam reports the NFL is investigating LB Brandon Spikes pornographic web video to see if Spikes violated its personal conduct policy.
- Mike Reiss reports the NFL is investigating a compromising internet video of Patriots rookie Brandon Spikes.
- Mike Rodak reports from the Patriots final practice of training camp, noting the secondary is still depleted due to injuries.
- Mike Reiss reports on Patriots practice number 37, the last one of the preseason.
- Shalise Manza Young offers us a peek at preseason's last practice, held in full pads in the hot sun.
- WEEI offers the transcript of Bill Belichick's Q&A with the media Tuesday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
- Mike Reiss reports the Patriots' injury situation is putting stress on Bill Belichick and his roster.
- Mike Petraglia says Belichick admits cuts are 'very unscientific'.
- Albert Breer takes a stab at which 54 players will have jobs here in a week's time.
- DJ Bean talks with Stephen Neal regarding the stress for players during roster cut-down week.
- Danny Picard says that if a player's phone doesn't ring on 'cut day', that's a good thing.
- Tom E. Curran says Carson Palmer thinks Tom Brady's best days are still ahead of him, two years removed from his knee injury.
- Mike Reiss catches up with ILB Tyrone McKenzie.
- Ian Rapoport says QB Brian Hoyer will likely get plenty of action against the Giants tomorrow night. He's come a long way in one year.
- Mike Reiss says Robert Kraft sees the AFC East as the league's toughest division.
- Albert Breer notes the Jets win the battle of publicity.
- Albert Breer sees some points to argue with John Clayton's NFL QB rankings.
- Mike Reiss answers his weekly reader mailbag, full of questions regarding the Patriots' defensive struggles.
- Shalise Manza Young Patriots Notebook: Spikes agent is doing damage control, saying his client is a high-character guy in spite of video; Pats put four players on IR and released CB Terrence Johnson for the second time; Zac Robinson had Brady to thank for his horrific rookie haircut; Wilfork was honored by the team for community service; Injury update.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Pats place top pass defender Bodden on IR.
- Matt Bowen (Nat'l Football Post) Secondary concerns: Injuries for Saints, Vikings and Patriots bring up questions.
- PFW Insider (Pro Football Weekly) Randy Moss is smart player.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Were big AFC East offseason needs filled?
- Knox Bardeen (NFL Fanhouse) New England Patriots 2010 season preview: Aging bunch still top dogs.
- NFL.com New England Patriots Season Preview. It's back to underdog status for the Pats.
- NFL.com Rookie performers: Preseason Week 3. Rob Gronkowski included, but no Brandon Tate. (2.58 min. video)
- Dan Arkush (Pro Football Weekly) Rating the backup quarterbacks.
- Ben Stockwell (Pro Football Focus) Good news/Bad news: New England Patriots.
- Judy Battista (NY Times) A call for more patience and for more hustle.
- Andy Barall (NY Times) Unintended consequences of NFL umpire repositioning.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Refresher on the "vested veteran" guarantee.
- Brian Burke (NY Times) Why passing is more important than running in the NFL.
- Peter King (SI) MMQB - Tuesday edition: Matt Leinart's future in Arizona could be on shaky ground.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) What should we insure around the AFC East?
- Kerry J. Byrne (Cold Hard Football Facts) Rex Ryan: world class or donkey's ass?
VIEW FROM NEW YORK
- Brian Lewis (NY Post) Giants running short on time to get in regular-season mode.
- Zack Berman (The Star-Ledger) Giants face another 3-4 defense before opening season against 4-3 teams.
- Michael Eisen (Giants.com) Final dress rehearsal.
- Ralph Vacchiano (NY Daily News) NY Giants place veteran QB Jim Sorgi on injured reserve; Rhett Bomar to back up Eli Manning.